drop sharply

USAGE SUMMARY

"drop sharply" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe when something decreases significantly or quickly, especially in terms of a physical movement or a metric, such as a graph or a stock market value. For example, you could say, "The stock value dropped sharply after the announcement of the merger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Growth rates then drop sharply.

The Economist

He expects that to drop sharply.

Independent

Move out of the cities and these figures drop sharply.

The Guardian

The two late-night lions saw their audience, especially the younger segments of viewers, drop sharply.

The New York Times

Financing for substance abuse and mental health treatment programs would drop sharply.

The New York Times

His wife, a home health care worker, has seen her income drop sharply.

The New York Times

The amount of data stored for a human genome will drop sharply.

The New York Times

This is because interest rates drop sharply at around the £7,000 to £7,500 mark.

The Guardian - Money

But the stock markets had hoped for a larger cut, causing stock prices to drop sharply.

The New York Times

Studies by the conservancy have shown, preliminarily, that when dingoes are present, cat numbers drop sharply.

The New York Times

But that number is thought to drop sharply when it comes to the over-65s.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a decrease, specify the magnitude and timeframe to provide context. For instance, "Profits dropped sharply by 30% in the last quarter."

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Instead of just saying "Sales dropped sharply", provide specific numbers or percentages to illustrate the extent of the decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop sharply" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action (dropping) occurs. It specifies that the action happens quickly and to a significant degree. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drop sharply" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant and rapid decrease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business reporting. While alternatives like "decline significantly" or "fall dramatically" exist, "drop sharply" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. Remember to quantify the drop whenever possible for greater clarity. By avoiding vagueness and providing specific details, you can effectively use "drop sharply" to convey precise information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline significantly

Emphasizes the importance/value of decline.

decrease substantially

Highlights the amount/quantity of decrease.

fall dramatically

Suggests suddenness and visibility of the fall.

plummet steeply

Implies a rapid and precipitous decline.

slide drastically

Conveys a loss of position in quick time.

tumble rapidly

Indicates a quick fall, possibly out of control.

slump heavily

Implies a sudden fall, usually in an economic context.

nosedive quickly

Suggests a rapid downward movement, similar to an aircraft.

wane considerably

Emphasizes the fade out of something.

sink substantially

Highlights going down below the surface or level.

FAQs

How can I use "drop sharply" in a sentence?

You can use "drop sharply" to describe a significant and rapid decrease in various contexts, such as "Stock prices "drop sharply" after the announcement" or "Temperatures will "drop sharply" overnight".

What are some alternatives to "drop sharply"?

Alternatives include "decline significantly", "decrease substantially", or "fall dramatically". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "decline significantly" instead of "drop sharply"?

"Decline significantly" is generally perceived as more formal than "drop sharply". The latter is suitable for most contexts, while the former is preferred in formal and business communications.

What's the difference between "drop sharply" and "drop slightly"?

"Drop sharply" indicates a large and rapid decrease, while "drop slightly" suggests a small and often insignificant decrease. The choice depends on the degree of change you want to describe.